6000 recruited LDUs start training at Kaweweta

SECURITY - A total of 6626 Local Defense Units (LDUs) force recruits have started their training at Kaweweta Military Training School in Nakaseke District.  The training will be conducted by Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). 

According to the Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, the recruits will undergo training for four months before they are absorbed into the reserve force and deployed in different communities where they are born.

"This morning (Tuesday) the first phase of the successful recruited LDUs began their four months training at Kaweweta Military Training School. Thanks to the people who responded to the President's call despite the public decampaign from some elements in the opposition," he said.

The recruits are part of the 24,000 LDUs that are needed by the Government to beef up security at the local level, in the districts of Kampala, Wakiso and Mukono.

During the one-week recruitment exercise, over 70% of people who turned up were rejected due to lack of academic qualifications and poor health.

The recruitment followed a directive by President Yoweri Museveni to UPDF to recruit the security personnel as a stop gap measure for insecurity in the Kampala metropolitan area.

During his address on the state of security, the President ordered for the recruitment of LDUs to help police in policing Kampala and surrounding areas. This was a day after the death of former Buyende District Police Commander Muhammad Kirumira who was shot dead by unknown assailants.

According to Ofwono, the requirements for one to join were being a citizen of Uganda aged between 18 and 35 years, must be having minimum education level of Primary seven, letters of recommendations and must be a resident of the area.

While appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, defence ministry officials informed the MPs that the successful LDUs, which will be under the command of the UPDF, will be deployed in areas of residence in support of the Police, to among other duties conduct patrols within the villages, file patrol reports, incident first and quick response and information gathering.

UPDF Chief of Defence Forces explained that before deployment, the LDUs will go through thorough training and mentorship by the field operational commanders.

"The dress code for LDUs will be the UPDF gazette Uniform to ease identity. In the day to day operations, LDUs will work in liaison with Police, the LC1 Chairpersons and secretaries for defense in their assigned areas of operation," Muhoozi said.

He assured the MPs that the arms and ammunitions given to the LDUs will be controlled and secured centrally as per UPDF standing operational procedures.

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